Friday 2 November 2007

Lots of Photos!

Phew. I must sit back and take a breath. Life has been quickly whizzing by, and I've been trying to catch up on my blog reading, and have just realised that I'm a wee bit behind in my posting! So this is a bit of an eclectic, ramshackle post trying to catch me up!

The good news is I've finished all my little bits of Christmas stitching - apart from Orlaith's stocking - but of course it's all secret, so I can't show you just yet. This is one of the reasons I've not been showing lots of photos - much of my stitching has been hush hush.

So, first and foremost - Fair & Square Exchange. My partner for Round 3 (my first round) was the very talented Sue Wild from Topeka, Kansas. Sue doesn't have a blog, so I'll post what I made for her (Autumn Spot by Drawn Thread) and what she so beautifully crafted for me (Primrose Path I think the design is call, by Just Nan): (I hope these are click-able for you)


As you can see, Sue also kindly sent me a postcard from Kansas, some finishing fabric and some pins (I didn't take a photo of the little extras I sent her - I always forget that!), and the pins go really well with the metallic thread and sweet charm in the sitching, so I'm thinking of finishing the squares as a pinkeep. I really love what Sue stitched for me - not only a beautiful choice, but oh my isn't her stitching so neat and carefully done. I really enjoyed my first Fair & Square experience, and I can't wait for the next round. I've put a link in my sidebar, and I think sign-ups are being taken until mid-November or thereabouts, so do take a look if you're interested!


Next, for the Crazy Exchange (for which same applies - link to the board is in the sidebar, and new exchangers are always welcome), I made Michelle, who lives in France, a tin topper using a French design - Petite Pause from Tournicoton. I had a little mishap with my flair for (should that be ineptitude with?) numbers and math, and cut too close to the design for the finishing. I think I rescued the situation credibly by stitching the fabric border around it, and was in the end fairly pleased with it - but I have learnt my lesson to measure, and then measure, and then stop to think about whether the measurements make sense, then measure once more, and THEN cut!





Yesterday, I FINALLY got Paradigm Lost out again. It has been sitting forlornly in my WIP pile since late August, but the wonderful Dani and Kathy over at the Snowbird SAL (see new link in sidebar) have been wonderful and I've got lots of newfound energy around this one. I didn't really get much done last night - I'm working on the incomplete motif below and to the right of the 'Z' - but as the rest of the girls on the SAL are just starting, I'm not too worried about falling behind too much (that time will come, once they have all caught up to my slow pace!). The SAL also features a number of lovely ladies stitching Ink Circles' Cirque de Cercles, so have a look at their wonderful progress as well - very inspiring!


And, finally, to finish off this unaccustomedly lengthy post, a quick goal review. October went pretty well, and I'm not giving myself too many tasks in November as I want to try and ease my way back into my rota, which has been pretty much abandoned in the last couple of months!

October Goal Review:
Stitch and send Fair and Square Exchange squares to Sue YES!

Finish Marne's return Crazy Exchange and post before 19.10 YES!

Stitch and send a Crazy Exchange for Michelle YES!

Stitch 2 Christmas gifts YES! In fact stitched 3!

Stitch Santa on Orlaith's stocking YES!

Order materials for Stitcher's Lottery project, and begin stitching YES!

Carry on with Spanish Wine NO

Carry on with Awake the Dawning Day NO

And, for November:

Finish stitching Orlaith's Stocking

Finish stitching Lottery piece

Finish-finish Christmas gifts

Snowbird SAL - stitch Paradigm Lost on Thursdays

Carry on with Awake the Dawning Day

Carry on with Northern Lights

Carry on with Spanish Wine

Thanks for stopping by - and happy stitching!

7 comments:

Mindi said...

Stephanie - I know the feeling about trying to play catch-up, then not having any pictures to post on your blog. Both F&S exchanges were gorgeous, I have the DT pattern you did in my stash.

I absolutely love the tin topper you made, and then added some extra details to the inside.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Stephanie I'm so glad you've joined us for the SAL and its givnen you renewed energy for the piece!

Your exchanges are just gorgeous!

Cheryl said...

I know what you mean about life whizzing by...im feeling the same way at the moment.
Love the F&S pieces both given and received. Ive decided to back out for the next round, just too busy.
Im doing cdc for the sal but im not off to a good start as i didnt work on it at all this week! Oh well, like you, i had already started it anyway so im not behind yet ;)
Love the tin topper by the way.
You asked me about the 2007 JSC ornie mag? No, i dont have it yet either....i'll probably end up getting it for next year, i only got the 2006 one a few months ago!! Im a bit behind i know!
This has been a long comment! Have a good weekend

Beatrice said...

It was fun looking at all your photos's
The little tin is very cute and it's fun having you in the SAL.
I doubt I'll catch up with you yours look great!

Andrea said...

Love the F&S pieces. The tin is just great. SALs are great aren't they, your co-stitchers will surely pull you along. :)

Anonymous said...

The tin is very cute! Wonderful finishing.
I'm looking forward to see your progress on Cirque de Cercles, it's such a beautiful design! :)

Jennifer said...

Hi Stephanie - LOVE the tin topper you did. Did you follow a tutorial to do it? If so, I'd love to know where to find it. I have several tin toppers that I'd like to finish and I love how you did that one.